Free Phil!

Phil Lesh has just released a free Soundboard recording of the Phil Lesh and Friends concert at the Warfield in San Francisco, May 13th of this year. That was the first night of the run to close out the historic theater before being renovated and re-opened by new management. Fitting, since so many historic Dead and Dead family shows went down in that beautiful place. Myself, I saw everybody from Sonic Youth to The Allman Brothers there.

May 13th was the night that the band played the first two Grateful Dead albums in their entirety – 1967’s self-titled debut and 1968’s Anthem of the Sun. Bob Weir sat in that night as well for vocals and some serious jamming. A fantastic night of music and it’s all available here!

Phil Lesh and Friends – 5.13.08 The Warfield, San Francisco, CA

1. The Golden Road To Unlimited Devotion, Beat it on Down the Line, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Cold Rain and Snow, Sitting on Top of the World, Cream Puff War*, Morning Dew*, New Minglewood Blues*, Viola Lee Blues* (* = with Bob Weir)

2. (whole set with Bobby) Cryptical Envelopment>The Other One>Nobody’s Fault Jam>The Other One>Cryptical Envelopment, New Potato Caboose>Born Cross-Eyed>Alligator>Caution (Do Not Step On Tracks) encore: Not Fade Away

Phish Make Phil a Mix Tape

Courtesy of the mystical live tape master Charlie Miller (who should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for all he has done), comes this interesting compilation –

“On April 6, 1999, two cassettes were given to Phil Lesh. The tapes are labeled “PHISH Various Live For Phil – Phish Archives”. These were tunes for the band (Phil and Friends) to learn for the upcoming shows (April 15-17 1999). The labels say “Refence DAT>Cassette No Dolby.” So basically, these are cassettes made off of the DAT master soundboard tapes…”

Fire up your BT client and get the goods here.

This includes a seriously well-done cover of “Terrapin Station” as well as a bunch of other Phish goodies. I’m not the world’s biggest phan, but the sound and performance quality on this is just too good to ignore.

New Bassnectar Single and Collaboration –

“Heads Up” is the latest single by Lorin Ashton aka Bassnectar. Bass-driven electronics that are totally organic and fresh. Pesticide and additive free. Bassnectar has also teamed up with FreQ Nasty to create a track to benefit the “March to Tibet” action campaign via Giveback.net . It’s called “Viva Tibet” and can be downloaded when you register at Giveback.net . Once you’re signed up, you can learn about all kinds of good causes and recieve all kinds of great music when you donate. Get enlightened and rock.

Earlier this year, Om Records released a podcast of a broadcast Bassnectar did for the BBC. You can find it here. It features the For Whom the Bass Tolls / Blue State Riddim mash-up that rocks the house.

Disco Biscuits – Tractor Beam Matrix

The Disco Biscuits are playing a run of shows for New Years Eve Nokia Theater in New York City. The Biscuits are loved and reviled by many but they are constantly pushing the jamband envelope with the infusion of high energy and atmospheric electronics into their sound. The Biscuits are also notorious for having multiple side projects. During their new years run both Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig and Marc Brownstein will be performing sets during after-show parties at the Highline Ballroom.

Here’s The Disco Biscuits performing under the moniker Tractor Beam back on June 26, 2007 in Lancaster, PA. This is a crystal clear sounding matrix recording of a jam-intensive show. From the show notes – “To celebrate the 2008 Jammys nomination for eMusic Download of the Year, we are very excited to release the performance of Tractorbeam from the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA on June 26, 2007. Tractorbeam was conceived as a different concert experience…something more akin to a DJ club set. Tractorbeam plays completely instrumental. The big highlight of the night was a mammoth rendition of Mr. Don. This wasn’t any ordinary version of Mr. Don, but rather one that went back in time. On May 7, 1998, The Biscuits played the Chameleon Club for the first time. They debuted two cover songs that night: The Beatles’ Norwegian Wood and Prince’s 1999. Also that night they played a version of Mr. Don that many fans still consider a benchmark jam that defined a very creative time period for the band. Coming back 9 years later, these songs resurfaced as spontaneous jams in the extended intro of yet another epic Mr. Don. Also of note, Mindless Dribble has a phenomenally psychedelic intro, reminiscent of classic versions of the song. We are pleased to share this live experience with you and hope you enjoy it…”

Tractorbeam (The Disco Biscuits) June 26, 2007 Chameleon Club Lancaster, PA

Matisyahu Live Mp3s

Live Downloads.com is offering free Mp3s of Matisyahu live 10/18/2008 at the Rave – Eagles Club, Milwaukee, WI – If you’re one of the first 10,000 folks to register. Also, there are some seriously great Matisyahu shows on the Live Music Archive. Hopefully more free SBDs will continue to be uploaded.

Christmas 2004 at BB King’s

Disco Biscuits w/ Matisyahu – Langadero 3-10-2007

Electric Factory – 3-19-2006

That’s all for this week kids. Have fun and I’ll meet you back here next week.

Next test – HOW TO DEFEAT A RUST MONSTER!

About the Author

Ben Wiser

Test of the Boomerang is an in-depth exploration of some of the best material found on the Live Music Archive.

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